On March 16, 2025, the Hanshin Tigers showcased their strong performance against the San Francisco Giants during a preseason game held at Tokyo Dome, winning decisively with a score of 3-0. A standout moment came from Hanshin's 21-year-old right fielder, Maekawa Ukyo, who faced two-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Blake Snell. Maekawa's experience from the game marked not only his growing prowess as a player but also highlighted the challenges posed by elite pitching.
Maekawa stepped to the plate against the formidable Snell, who consistently delivered fastballs clocking 155 kilometers per hour. During his first at-bat, the young hitter was struck out swinging, caught off guard by the power and precision of Snell's pitching. "It was insane. Even though it was the same 150 kilometers per hour, it felt entirely different," Maekawa reflected, emphasizing the difficulty of batting against such high-caliber opponents. This initial challenge showcased the gap between potential and performance, as the rookie left him bewildered.
Despite this setback, Maekawa rebounded impressively during his second at-bat. He managed to connect with the right-handed pitcher Tyler Glasnow, who stood at 203 centimeters tall, hitting a slider to left field and securing his first hit of the game. Maekawa expressed with determination, "I want to prepare well for the upcoming season, and this experience is instrumental for my growth as a player."
Sato Teruaki, another prominent player for the Tigers, contributed significantly to the victory by blasting a three-run home run off Snell during the fourth inning, marking his performance as instrumental for the team's success. With runners on first and third and no outs, Sato's powerful swing not only extended the lead but also showcased the team's capability to capitalize on the opportunities presented against high-quality pitching.
The game, attended by 42,059 fans, also featured standout defensive efforts from the Tigers' pitching staff. Starter Taiki Yagi effectively silenced the Giants, managing to strike out Shohei Ohtani, who served as the designated hitter. Following Yagi's performance, four relief pitchers—Habby Guerra, Okayu Hidekazu, Kakihana Takuma, and Ishii Daichi—combined to complete the shutout, marking the Tigers' impressive streak of going 18 innings without allowing any runs over their recent games against the Cubs and Giants.
Regarding the victory, Sato expressed confidence, stating, "It gives me so much confidence. I want to carry this feeling as one of my many strengths moving forward." Meanwhile, teammate Nakano Takumu shared insights on the game, noting the challenging pitches they faced, indicating, "I felt like I wasn’t getting any easy pitches, but it was definitely good experience for all of us.”
Maekawa's confrontation with Snell left lasting impressions on him and offered perspective on the type of skill needed to excel at the professional level. "It’s something I have never encountered. That was very special time for me, and I'm thankful for the experience," he observed post-game.
Morishita Kota also made his presence felt by hitting a double against Snell, supporting the offensive effort as the Tigers capitalized on Snell’s rare mistakes. While Ohtani's frustration was palpable after the strikeout, other players felt the weight of facing such elite pitching yet took from it motivation for improvement.
Reflecting on the success of the Tigers, coach Yabuki remarked on the importance of the preseason victories and how they prepare the players for the rigors of the season. Having managed to not only win games but also develop young talent like Maekawa, the team is setting themselves up for potential success as the new season approaches.